Take as much time as you can to answer these questions as in depth as possible. Writing down your answers will help you to gain a better of idea of the character as you are developing him. Try and keep in mind that every question may lead to more questions. Never hesitate to ask yourself why and how everything affects your character.
Remember as you answer these questions to make strong choices as opposed to weak ones. As an example: Why did your character join the Barbarian Guild? Weak choices: He was bored; It seemed like fun; He just did; Strong choices: He comes from a long line of Barbarians and his father pressured him into it. He despises Magic; He was trying to impress a girl who consequently left him. A strong choice gives you more room to roleplay with.
1) Where is the Character from?
A child growing up on a farm near Crossing will have different childhood experiences than one growing up as a merchants son in Shard. Even a child growing up in a rich family will have a different childhood than one who's family is well off, yet hard working. The Characters birthplace is quite important, but you also have to ask yourself .. where was he raised, aand who raised him?
2) What was the Character's family like?
What did the character's parents do? What was the family's means of support? Were the parents married? What was family life like? Does the character have any siblings? Were are they now? What do they do? Does the character keep in contact with them? Did the character even know his family? If not, who raised him? How large was his family? Did he have a large extended family? How close are the members of the family?
3) Has the Character begun his own family?
Is the character married? Does he have children? If not, does he want to have children? Has he been married before? If yes what happened to the other wife.
4) What is the Character's general appearance?
How does the character dress? Why does he choose to dress this way? If your character has a tattoo why did he get that particular one? Is there a reason why your female character wears her hair short, or your male character wears his long?
5) What historical events had an influence on your Character?
Check out the Elanthian TimeLine and determine what events would have had an affect on how your character was raised or how your character's life may have been affected by such things. Was your best friend killed in the Gorbesh Wars? Did your Elven father fight in the Elven Human Wars? Was your mother a bard in hiding during the time of the Dragon Priests?
6) Where and how was the Character Educated?
Did he go to a school of some kind or was he taught by his family? Did he attempt any higher education? Where? How did your character view his education? Was he a bad student? Did he wish to continue his educations but circumstances prevented it?
7) Why did your Character choose his guild?
What did he hope to accomplish by joining his particular guild, or even by remaining a commor? Parental pressure? Life long dream? A calling of some sort? Rebelliousness?
8) Has the Character ever done anything for a living besides join a guild?
Has the character ever held a job? If so, Where? Did they enjoy it? Why did
the character stop doing it? Would they go back to doing it in the future?
(A list of jobs appropriate to low-technology society can be found here to
help you decide which, if any are suitable for your character)
9) What are the Character's beliefs about the Gods?
Do they believe each aspect is a separate entity or that that they are merely different sides of the same god? Do they believe in the Gods at all? Do they worship some other being? (The Huntress, The World Dragon, The One God) Is your character very religious or just a take it or leave it sort of worshipper? Which God, if any, do they worship above all others, and why?
10) What is the Character's moral code?
Will the character kill? Why? When did the character decide that he could? Does he think killing is acceptable? Under what circumstances? What is your character's opinion on stealing and thievery? On Thieves? Would your character ever steal (not for skill training, but for monetary gain) from another character? How does your character view violence?
11) What are your characters goals?
Is this all the character ever wants to do? Do they have any ambitions beyond here and now? Are they satisfied with the way things are now? If not, when do they plan on changing things? (Remember, the character's goals, not the player's) What drives your character to do what he does?
12) Is there a particular person in your character's life that influenced him more than anyone else?
An Idol or Hero, perhaps? Was it a bad influence? How did the influence affect your character's life? Does your character recognize the influence?
13) If your character had one wish what would he wish for?
Hapiness? Knowlede? Wealth? Would he spurn the wish as ridiculous and worthless dreaming of the impossible? Why would he wish for these things or not wish at all?
14 )Was there a specific turning point in your character's life?
From atheist to religious? from pacifist to aggressive? Poor to rich? what caused the event to happen? Why did it affect your character so deeply? How does he percieve the change in himself?
15) Are there certain things that the Character cannot do?
Get close to people? Perceive themselves realistically? Won't work well with others? Think clearly under stress? Handle money well?
16) What special qualities does the Character possess?
This does not refer to your OOC skills, but to what the character does well. Does he get along well with people? Is he skilled at business? Planning ahead? A good mediator?
17) What does the Character hate?
Dragon Priests? Nobility? Sentimentality? Shard? Common Folk? Their family? Certain people? Society in General? Why does he hate?
18) What does the Character love?
The seashore? Quiet times? The mountains? Music? Art? A specific person? A certain place? A good meal? What is it about these things that makes him love them?